Study Buddhist Treatises with Thubten Chodron - Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron: Recent Episodes
Study Buddhist Treatises with Thubten Chodron - Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron
Weekly teachings on Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice. Venerable Thubten Chodron explains great Buddhist philosophical treatises in plain English, bringing ancient wisdom to life in a modern context. Get the podcast on TuneIn Radio. Streamed live from Sravasti Abbey on Thursdays at 10 am PDT
Commentary to verses 6-8 of Chapter 9, "Wisdom," of Shantideva's "Engaging in the Bodhisattva's Deeds."
A review looking at selected verses to develop compassion for difficult people with guided meditation.
Explanation of the view of the selflessness of phenomena in the Buddhist tenet schools.
The source of disagreements between the lower tenets schools the Prasangika Madhyamikas.
The different understandings of the two truths possessed by those who have direct perception of emptiness and common people.
How to work with our dominating, aggressive side that wants to get what we want at the expense of others.
Commentary on thought transformation verses that explain how to exchange self and others.
How self-centeredness creates problems in our lives, and the actual method of exchanging self and others.
Commentary to verses on developing a bodhisattva’s joy and humility in pacifying others’ sufferings.
Using reasoning to move beyond the self-centered attitude and care about the happiness and suffering of others.
A discussion of the nature of prayer in Buddhism and recognizing the kindness of others.
How it is possible to have a mind that wishes to dispel the suffering of all sentient beings as much as we want to dispel our own.
Explanation of the last three points of the equalizing self and other meditation including review of the first six points.
Explanation of the second three points of the nine-point equalizing self and others meditation.
Explanation of the first three points of the nine-point equalizing self and others meditation.
Why being angry at others is inappropriate, because they are under the control of afflictions
Developing fortitude in the face of harm and hardship using thought transformation verses.
How anger arises due to causes and conditions, and how to use an understanding of dependent arising to decrease anger.
How we can use suffering and difficult situations to increase our compassion, instead of responding with anger
The disadvantages of anger, and how to keep the mind from getting angry by protecting against its cause—mental unhappiness.
Continued explanation of the nine-point meditation on equalizing self and others with the three points from the viewpoint of ourselves.
Explanation of the first three points of the nine-point meditation on equalizing self and others.
Explanation of the nine-point equalizing self and other meditation, covering point 1, how everyone equally wants happiness and to be free from suffering.
An explanation of equanimity and its importance in developing bodhicitta including a guided meditation on equanimity.
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Exploring what anger is, its disadvantages and the antidotes.
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How wealth causes suffering and that it is better to strive for the wealth of contentment.
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A review of verses 1-37 of Chapter 8, with discussion of the meaning and purpose of cultivating solitude of body and mind in regard to developing concentration and bodhicitta.
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How the cause of problems and pain is not the objects of attachment themselves, but the mind of attachment or desire.
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Commentary on Shantideva's verses that point out the disadvantages of samsara, in order to develop a strong mind that strives for liberation.
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Shantideva’s verses describe the lengths we go to obtain wealth, sex, and possessions, and the suffering this ultimately brings.
Commentary on verses that help to see the body more objectively in order to counter the distraction of attachment which interferes with meditation.
To counter desire for the body, Shantideva gives us verses to pull back the veil of exaggeration to see the body’s real nature.
Commentary to verses 41-47 of Shantideva’s Chapter 8. Reflecting on the nature of the body to counter the distraction of sexual desire.
Commentary on verses from Shanitdeva on the benefits of subduing distractions to meditation including attachment to friends, relatives and the body.
Commentary on verses by Shantideva covering antidotes for attachment to the body, friends, and relatives.
Commentary to verses 23 – 28, which describe attachment as a hindrance, and dwelling in isolation as beneficial for developing concentration.
Commentary on verses that cover the faults of attachment to material possessions, reputation, fame, praise and worldly beings.
How attachment to childish sentient beings and their nonvirtuous activities is an obstacle to Dharma practice and the development of concentration.
Commentary to verses 4-7 of Chapter 8, “Meditation”. How attachment hinders serenity meditation, identifying attachment, and recognizing it’s drawbacks.
Review of the second half of Chapter 5 covering Shantideva’s explanation of how to train in the ethics of gathering virtue and the ethics of benefiting others.
Review of the first half of Chapter 5 “Guarding Alertness,” (introspective awareness) from Shantideva’s “Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds.”
Commentary on verses 1-3 of Chapter 8, “Meditation”. How attachment to the wonders of this life are a key distraction in meditation.
Commentary to verses 68-76 of Chapter 7, “Enthusiasm”. How to use conscientiousness and introspection as tools to increase and support joyous effort.
How to generate the strong intention to apply antidotes to the afflictions, and engage in the powers of joy and rest as antidotes to laziness.
Commentary on verses 47-58. The role of self-confidence in progressing on the path and the difference between self-confidence and self-importance.
Commentary on verses 46-49. How aspiration and steadfastness support and increase each other. Also the role of self-confidence in completing wholesome actions.
Commentary to verses 30-38 of Chapter 7, including the four powers that increase the strength of joyous effort.
By creating the causes to overcome discouragement the results will be joyous effort to practice the Dharma.
Commentary on verses 15-22 of Chapter 7, on overcoming discouragement and developing enthusiasm to practice the Dharma.
Completion of the commentary on the intrusive conditions and incompatible propensities that interfere with practicing the Dharma.
Continued explanation of the eight intrusive conditions and eight incompatible propensities that interfere with practicing the Dharma.
Commentary on verse 15 of Chapter 7 including the intrusive conditions and incompatible propensities that interfere with practicing the Dharma.
Counteracting laziness and developing joyous effort. Commentary on verses 11-14 of Chapter 7. Also why people don't learn from suffering or punishment.
Shantideva's advice for overcoming laziness and developing enthusiasm for practicing the Dharma. Commentary on verses 5-10 of Chapter 7.
Looking at war and current events from a Dharma perspective. Further commentary on verses 3 and 4 of Chapter 7.
Covering Verses 1-4 of Chapter 7, discussing the true meaning of joyous effort and obstacles to it
Reading Verses 131-134 of Chapter 6, explaining what it means to please sentient beings and the benefits of practicing fortitude, and beginning Chapter 7
Covering Verses 122-132 from Chapter 6, exploring various reasons why retaliation against those who harm us is inappropriate
As commentary to Verses 116-122 of Chapter 6, emphasizing the importance of cherishing sentient beings as a way to repay the kindness of the buddhas
Giving commentary to Verses 113-116, elaborating on why we should cherish and respect sentient beings as much as we cherish and respect the buddhas
Covering Verses 104-112 of Chapter 6 "Patience" and exploring various reasonings for why we should venerate and cherish those who harm us
Covering Verses 97-105 of Chapter 6 on how we can see those who harm us as not obstacles to be overcome, but rather a helpful condition for our spiritual growth
Looking at the disadvantages of attachment to praise and blame, covering Verses 90-98 of Chapter 6
Commenting on Ver. 85-90, Chapter 6, demonstrating how using daily events can reveal the faults of anger and show that it does not secure the happiness we seek
Exploring the practice of fortitude in terms of working with various crises that can arise in one’s monastic life
Giving commentary to Verses 73-84 of Chapter 6, explaining the disadvantages of, and antidotes to, jealousy
Commenting on Verses 66-74 of Chapter 6, discussing the relationship between attachment and anger and the reasonings to encourage our fortitude to small harms
Covering Verses 62-66, leading a discussion on working with the self-centered thought and describing more techniques to counteract anger
Beginning with a review of Verses 42-50, and then leading us in a debate between anger and our wisdom mind (Verses 51-62)
Covering Verses 42-50 of Chapter 6, exploring various perspectives on who is "responsible" for our suffering: ourselves, others, inanimate objects, and so forth
Giving commentary to Verses 38-42, discussing various reasons for why it's unreasonable to be angry with the people, objects, or situations that harm us
Discussing the tenets of non-Buddhist schools and going to cover Verses 33-38 that discuss how to cultivate fortitude for those who cause harm
Covering Verses 26-32 of Chapter 6, presenting Buddhist refutations of a primal substance and the belief in an independent self
Covering Verses 19-25 of Chapter 6, sharing ways to lessen our anger by viewing others’ actions as the results of causes and conditions
Covering Verses 14-19 of Chapter 6, discussing how we can strengthen our mind so it is not easily overcome by suffering
Covering Verses 8-14 of Chapter 6, discussing the benefits of meditating on duhkha (suffering) and the benefits of going through difficulties
Covering Verses 7-10 of Chapter 6, describing the evolution of how anger enters the mind, based on mental unhappiness
Teaching on the disadvantages of anger, giving commentary to Verses 1-6 of Chapter 6 "Patience"
Discussing the various defects and disadvantages of anger, covering Verses 1 - 6 of Chapter 6
Covering Chapter 5 Verses 100-109, discussing the advice to dedicate our merits for the welfare of all sentient beings and to put the teachings into practice
Covering Verses 91-100 of Chapter 5, discussing advice on manners, namely actions such as spitting, eating, using the bathroom, and giving directions
Discussing how to skillfully give our body and the Dharma for the benefit of ourselves and others in the commentary to Verses 84-90 of Chapter 5
Discussing ways to think, speak and act in order to joyfully create virtue in the commentary to Verses 79 - 84 of Chapter 5
Covering Verses 74-79 of Chapter 5, discussing the transformative practice of rejoicing in others' qualities, and speaking and acting in ways that others enjoy
Covering Verses 71 - 75 of Chapter 5, discussing practical advice about how to do daily activities in a way that is pleasing and beneficial to others
Covers Verses 5.60-5.70, discussing how to cultivate a sense of the body's lack of cleanliness, reduce our attachment to it and use it to create virtue
Covering Verses 5.54-5.60 on how to be resolute in the Dharma practice, cultivate mental stability, respect, and politeness, and abandon attachment to the body
Covering Verses 5.34-45, discussing how we can use mindfulness and introspection to assess how we move through space and impact others with our body and speech
Covering Verses 31-35 of Chapter 5, discussing how mindfulness and introspection arise, and how to use them to monitor our actions of body, speech and mind
Covering Verses 19-30 of Chapter 5, discussing the reasons we must guard our mind and how the mental factors of mindfulness and introspective awareness help us
Covering Verses 14-18 of Chapter 5 'Guarding Introspection,' discussing the perfections of joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom
Covering Verses 11 - 13 of Chapter 5, discussing the perfections of generosity, ethical conduct, and fortitude
Covering Verses 5.6-5.10, discussing the relationship between mindfulness and introspective awareness, and how the six far-reaching practices depend on the mind
Covering Verses 1-5 of Chapter 5 'Guarding Introspection' and discussing how to work with fear that arises in relation to difficult topics in the lamrim
Reflecting on what benefiting others truly means and teaching on Chapter 4 Verses 46 - 48 on how we can investigate our afflictions
Covering Verses 39 to 46 of Chapter 4 and teaching about the courage that it takes to overcome our afflictions
Reviewing Verse 33 and continuing through Verse 39 of Chapter 4, teaching on a strong determination to overcome the afflictions, true causes of our suffering
Continuing with Verses 28 - 33 of Chapter 4, which point out how the afflictions harm us by distracting us from the Dharma and creating causes for lower rebirth
Teaching on the importance of identifying how the afflictions work in our mind and experience and covering Verse 25 to the first line of Verse 28 in Chapter 4
Discussing how three mental factors are important for our progress along the path, answering questions, and covering Verses 21 - 24 in Chapter 4
Giving commentary on Chapter 4 Verses 12 - 21 discussing the reasons why it is hard to obtain a precious human life - by analogy, numbers, and causes
Venerable Khadro reviews Chapter 4, Verses 1 through 18, discussing the importance of keeping our promise to attain awakening for the benefit of all beings
Venerable Sangye Khadro continues the discussion of the secondary misdeeds covering twelve faulty actions that contradict working to benefit others
Venerable Sangye Khadro covers secondary misdeeds 23 through 32, including those posing obstacles to the development of joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom
Venerable Sangye Khadro continues her explanation of the bodhisattva vows, covering those relating to the perfection of ethics, fortitude, and joyous effort
Venerable Sangye Khadro discusses the four binding factors and the nine secondary misdeeds related to the far-reaching practices of generosity and ethics
Venerable Sangye Khadro continues her commentary on the bodhisattva vow, discussing numbers 11-18 of the root bodhisattva downfalls
Venerable Sangye Khadro continues her commentary on the bodhisattva vow, discussing numbers 3-10 of the root bodhisattva downfalls
Venerable Sangye Khadro reviews Verses 23-34 from Chapter 3, leads a meditation on taking the bodhisattva vow, and discusses first 3 root bodhisattva downfalls
Venerable Sangye Khadro reviews Verses 1-21 of Chapter 3 and leads a meditation on the practice of tonglen, taking and giving
Venerable Sangye Khadro leads a review of Chapter 2, covering the confession of negativities, including making offerings and the four opponent powers.
Venerable Sangye Khadro leads a review of Chapter 1 of Shantideva's text, Engaging in the Bodhisattvas Deeds
Discussing Verses 11-16 on the importance of making ourselves into trustworthy people: in general and in the context of keeping our promise of bodhicitta
- Visualizing buddhas and bodhisattvas to transform our mind
- Meditating on the kindness of sentient beings to create karma for a good rebirth
- The drawbacks of discarding bodhicitta:
- Going to the lower realms
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Cutting short potential benefit for sentient beings
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Q&A:
- Root downfall of a bodhisattva
- How to balance seeing the world as a pure land with developing renunciation by seeing the sufferings of samsara
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_20_10-08-20_Disadvantages_of_Discarding_Bodhicitta.mp3 20 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Disadvantages of Discarding Bodhicitta (download)
- Using examples from our life as analogies to develop our own discrimination
- Putting our energy to generating the two bodhicittas
- Reviewing the outline of Chapter 3
- Definition of conscientiousness
- Benefits of ethical conduct
- Antidotes to having doubt about the path
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_19_10-01-20_Conscientiousness.mp3 19 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Conscientiousness (download)
- On religious rights and pushing one’s own views on others
- The purpose of giving the similitude of bodhisattva vows
- Giving up bodhicitta
- Gradual training in bodhisattva’s practices
- Rejoicing by praising bodhicitta
- Q&A
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_18_09-24-20_Bodhicitta_Makes_Life_Meaningful.mp3 18 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Bodhicitta Makes Life Meaningful (download)
- Dealing with afflictions in current crisis by challenging our concept of “I”
- Dedicating the roots of virtue to become the cause of all necessities for oneself and others
- Incorporating dependent arising and emptiness in our practice
- How we can benefit society by combining compassion and wisdom
- Building up strength to help sentient beings
- Taking the bodhisattva vow to fortify our energy to engage in the bodhisattva deeds
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_17_09-17-20_Taking_the_Bodhisattva_Ethical_Restraint.mp3 17 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Taking the Bodhisattva Ethical Restraint (download)
- Giving completely without holding anything back
- By giving up attachment for everything sorrow is transcended
- How to practice after offering our body
- Wishing the roots of virtue to be causes that are not wasted
- Dedicating the thought and the action as the cause for inexhaustible virtue
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_16_09-10-20_Offering_Our_Bodies_to_All_Sentient_Beings.mp3 16 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Offering Our Bodies to All Sentient Beings (download)
- What keeps us stuck in anger, attachment and apathy
- Rejoicing in virtue
- Urging buddhas to turn the wheel of Dharma
- Requesting buddhas not to pass into parinirvana
- Dedicating our virtue
- Training in the attitude of giving one’s roots of virtue
- Q&A
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_15_09-03-20_Requesting_Teachings_and_Our_Teachers_to_Remain.mp3 15 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Requesting Teachings and Our Teachers to Remain (download)
- Revision of Refuge in the Three Jewels
- Indicating the need to purify by the analogy of the precipice
- The reason why we should make effort quickly
- The power of turning away from negative actions
- Suffering caused by conceit and exaggeration
- Review of Chapter 2: the first three of the four limbs in the seven-limb prayer
- Q&A
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_14_08-27-20_Freeing_Ourselves_from_Negativity.mp3 14 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Freeing Ourselves from Negativity (download)
- Only our merit can protect us at the time of death
- Disadvantages of not preparing for our death
- What does it mean to seek refuge?
- The meaning of fear and offering our body to the holy beings
- How Dharma practice clears away our vulnerability to dangers
- Relying on the antidote to afflictions
- Q&A:
- Cultivating compassion for those we fear
- How can we help someone to die well?
- Is someone your teacher if you only receive their teachings online?
- Letting go of our fear by practicing compassion
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_13_08-20-20_Offering_Ourselves_to_the_Buddhas.mp3 13 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Offering Ourselves to the Buddhas(download)
- Meditating on regret by fearing death and the power of going for refuge
- Uncertainty of the time of death
- Negative karma we create for the sake of our friends and foes
- Without purification, we must experience suffering even in this life
- Imagining our death
- Questions and answers
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_12_08-06-20_Regretting_Negativity_by_Reflecting_on_Death.mp3 12 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Regretting Negativity by Reflecting on Death (download)
- Forgiveness and generating the power of regret
- How harming others causes us suffering
- Relationship between anger, our suffering and forgiveness
- How not to get angry with difficult people
- Creating the causes for practicing profound teachings
- How introspective awareness helps us avoid spiritual bypassing
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_11_07-30-20_Removing_Barriers_to_Forgiveness.mp3 11 Engaging in the Bodhisattvas Deeds: Removing Barriers to Forgiveness (download)
- Four opponent powers:
- Differentiating guilt from regret
- Kinds of remedial actions
- Making a determination not to repeat the action
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Relying on the basis: changing our attitude and repairing the relationship
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Negative actions and breaking the precepts
- Purifying negativities done in this and previous lives, negativities we concealed or rejoiced in
- Confessing heavy negativity created with regard to Three Jewels and other fields of merit
- Spiritual and psychological benefits of purification
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_10_07-23-20_Four_Opponent_Powers.mp3 10 Engaging in the Bodhisattvas Deeds: Four Opponent Powers (download)
- What worshiping physical representations of the Buddha means
- The reason for making offerings
- Verbal praise and physical homage to the Three Jewels
- Showing respect and gratitude to our Dharma teachers
- The meaning of the final and the provisional refuge
- Questions and answers:
- The reason for mentioning the Guru in the Refuge prayer
- What to do with offerings after some time?
- How to take a refuge ceremony?
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_09_07-16-20_Different_Kinds_of_Refuge.mp3 09 Engaging in the Bodhisattvas Deeds: Different Kinds of Refuge (download)
- Committing our life to the Three Jewels
- Offering our body in service of the Dharma
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Common and peerless emanated offerings for Buddhas and bodhisattvas:
- Bathing house, clothes, ornaments, scented balm
- Flowers, incense, food, light
- Crystal palace, blessing parasols, instruments
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Questions and comments
https://audio.thubtenchodron.org/Engaging_in_the_Bodhisattvas_Deeds_Thursday_Teachings_08_07-02-20_Making_Sensuous_Offerings_to_the_Buddhas.mp3 08 Engaging in the Bodhisattvas Deeds: Making Sensuous Offerings to the Buddhas(download)